Singapore Airlines Flight: Turbulence Causes Tragedy and Injuries
A vacation to Australia turned tragic for 73-year-old Geoffrey Kitchen, who was the fatal victim of severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore. The intense four-minute ordeal claimed Kitchen's life and left dozens of passengers injured. Kitchen reportedly suffered a heart attack during the turbulence, The Guardian confirmed.
Geoffrey Kitchen, a father of two and a passionate amateur stage actor, had spearheaded a campaign for the reopening of Armstrong Hall theater in Thornbury before his untimely death. 'He was a very beloved man. He was intelligent, funny, a fantastic performer, he cared a lot about theater. It was his passion,' said Jill, a close friend and neighbor.
The flight hit turbulence over the Andaman Sea, causing the plane, a Boeing 777, to suddenly descend 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) in about three minutes. The incident left 70 passengers in the hospital, with 20 still in intensive care. Among the injured was Kitchen's wife, Linda, who, along with other passengers, was taken to hospitals in Bangkok for treatment.
Investigation Underway to Determine Cause
Officials from Singapore's Transportation Safety Investigation Bureau arrived in Bangkok, and the United States National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched an accredited representative to assist. The sudden and severe turbulence, known as 'clear air turbulence,' can occur even in the absence of clouds or storms, making it particularly dangerous.
Witnesses described horrifying scenes. 'I saw people across the aisle being flipped horizontally, hitting the ceiling, and falling back in uncomfortable positions,' said Dzafran Azmir, a 28-year-old student who was on the flight. The turbulence caused significant damage to the cabin, with broken panels and oxygen masks dangling.
Despite initial chaos, Singapore Airlines quickly organized a recovery flight. A total of 131 passengers and 12 crew members returned to Singapore, while the rest received medical attention in Bangkok. Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong provided updates, noting the measures taken to assist all affected individuals.
- Stephen Kitchen shared that he was supposed to meet Geoffrey and Linda for lunch before their departure but had to cancel due to last-minute visa issues.
- Flightradar24 data revealed the plane was flying at an altitude of 11,300 meters (37,000 feet) before suddenly dropping to 9,400 meters in less than three minutes.
- One Australian passenger mentioned that the seatbelt light had come on just before the turbulence hit, but there was barely any time to react.
- Medical staff at Bangkok's Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital stated that nine people had undergone surgery with five additional surgeries planned.
